Norfolk has Excelled at raising £50,000 for elderly patients

Generous people in Norfolk have Excel-ed themselves after helping The Queen Elizabeth Hospital achieve its £50,000 appeal target.

Elderly and vulnerable patients along with medical teams have benefitted from a range of new equipment thanks to Excellence in Elderly Care Appeal (ExCel).

Thanks to the hard work of companies and individuals across the region, the Hospital has been able to purchase My Life Reminiscence Therapy Software to help people with dementia along with specialist recliner chairs and falls prevention monitoring systems.

Fundraisers across the county have rallied to the appeal. Student hairdressers at The College of West Anglia ran a gents cuts night along with runners taking on the 10km Grand East Anglia Run (GEAR)

The Hospital has also been working with The Eastern Daily Press on the 20 month appeal to raise £50,000.

Chief Executive Jon Green has thanked everyone who has supported and contributed to the fundraising.

He said: “People in West Norfolk have a great reputation for their generosity to fundraising campaigns and once more this has been shown.

“I would like to make a personal thank you to everyone who has organised events, supported collections, baked cakes or even completed sponsored runs for the support of our patients.

“Businesses in King’s Lynn, such as Kenneth Bush Solicitors and Millsopps, have also been incredibly generous in throwing their weight behind the campaign. We would also like to pay a special thank you to The EDP along with the other papers who have helped to advertise the campaign.

“Providing excellent care for elderly and vulnerable patients is incredibly important to everyone at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital. The equipment provided by this campaign is already making a big difference to our patients.”

Windsor, West Newton and Gayton wards now all have My Life Digital Reminiscence Therapy Software. This software contains clips from classic television shows and important news events along with music and games. Families are also able to create virtual scrapbooks to help stimulate memories for those living with dementia.

West Newton Ward manager Donna Snowdon said: “Unfamiliar surroundings can be distressing for patients with dementia but we have found that My Life software has a calming effect. This piece of equipment has been a tremendous help and we are very grateful to the people who have supported this campaign.”

Thanks to the appeal, patients will now be comfortable in specialist Hydrotilt recliner chairs, which support physiotherapy along with providing pressure care and relief along with relaxation.

These chairs, which have been distributed in West Newton, Windsor, Gayton and Terrington wards, also help with the Hospital’s campaign to encourage patients to get out of bed and prevent deconditioning. Ten days spent in hospital is the equivalent of 10 years of ageing in people over the age of 80.

Falls prevention monitoring systems have also been issued to West Newton, Windsor, West Raynham, Gayton and Terrington wards.

Fundraising Executive Laurence Morlaàs said: “It has been really heart warming to see the community answer our call so generously. Their support to help us deliver excellence in elderly care is truly appreciated. We are extremely grateful to everyone who contributed and in particular the help we received from our corporate sponsors. The equipment bought with the donations benefits so many elderly patients in different parts of the hospital.”